We make refugee integration work

ABOUT

Kimiyaa (meaning 'chemistry' in Arabic) is a non-profit organization created to contribute to the integration of refugees in their countries of adoption. For relations to work between people, you need 'Kimiyaa'.

We organize matchings between refugees and local professional mentors all funded by personal and corporate donations from around the world. We started in Germany with a successful pilot program in 2016-2017 and starting in 2019 we are expanding in the United Kingdom.

Why Kimiyaa?

There are sixty million refugees and displaced people around the world. In times of war and distress, fellow human beings take life threatening risks to seek refuge and protection.

There are now loud voices rising around the world instilling fear from refugees, unfairly painting them as terrorists or people seeking to take advantage of our economic welfare systems. Our reality is in fact brighter and more hopeful. All refugees taking part in our initiative are eager to put their often dramatic past behind and they are keen to integrate, learn the local language and enter the work force.

Successful economic and cultural integration into our societies is one of the greatest challenges for the next generation at least. In creating Kimiyaa, we wish to help break the divide and bring down the invisible walls of segregation.

Supporting the local economy

Our mentors – some of them part-time workers, single moms, or retirees - are part of the local economy and can now earn a modest income while supporting refugee integration. Most of the Kimiyaa mentors have a rich experience volunteering in helping refugee integration, but for others it will be their first meeting with a refugee.

For many of the Kimiyaa refugees, it will be their first contact with a local person, a key to feeling part of and understanding their new country of adoption.

How it works

Practical example

Sponsors

Mentors

Refugees

Sponsors

Sponsors can be private persons or corporations from around the world who would like to support integration efforts.

They get to follow closely and personally the mentorship they sponsor. Their donation supports the local teacher who then provides free education to the refugee. Sponsors can fund a full mentorship or part of it.

Read more

Read less

Sign up

Mentors

Mentors are local professionals who have some free time to teach a subject or a skill to a refugee.

After a successful application process, mentors are matched with a refugee living in their vicinity. For mentors, it is an opportunity to contribute to the integration process, to earn a small income and to help a fellow human being.

Read more

Read less

Sign up

Refugees

Refugees and asylum seekers living in their new country of adoption get a chance to learn or improve on a selected topic.

It can be German language, computer skills, graphic design, tailoring and more. For many refugees, it is their first personal encounter with a local citizen. It helps them assert their position, climbing a first step on the long-term job ladder and as importantly, it potentially creates a bridge to a local fellow human being who could guide them on the path of integration.

Read more

Read less

Sign up

Meet our first Kimiyaa participants

Photo: Fabian Sommer

Photo: Fabian Sommer

Photo: Silvia Berger

Photo: Wei Ling Khor

Mert & Hashmatullah

Hashmatullah, 19, from Afghanistan wants to improve his German language skills which will hopefully help him find a job in Munich. He went to school for 12 years in Afghanistan and arrived in Munich at the end of 2015.

He left behind 6 brothers and sisters and headed to Germany on his own with hope of a better and safer future. He would also be interested in working as a car mechanic or, if that is not possible, in a hotel. Hashmatullah lives in a 700 people refugee center in Munich.
Mert is a law student, was born in Munich but knows the plight of refugees as his parents immigrated to Germany from Turkey. "Instead of just talking about it, I wanted to help and Kimiyaa gave me that opportunity. I'm happy to help a fellow human being, a fellow Muslim and guide him as best as I can for a successful integration".

Read their Story

Read less

Claudia & Bintou

Bintou, 26, from Mali arrived in Munich in November 2015 together with her husband and their 2 year-old daughter after a long stay in Libya. She would like to work as a secretary but realizes how difficult it is to learn the German language.

Together with computer skills, Claudia teaches her German and also how to organize herself and her little daughter to be able to attend German class every day.
Claudia works for different television companies as a freelancer, offers creative workshops and is the mother of a daughter. She says: “I am happy that I found Kimiyaa. The mentoring program does not only help our students but also brings benefits for both sides. For example, I can improve my rusty French with Bintou.“

Read their Story

Read less

Karen & Hamdi

Hamdi, 20, is a geology student from Syria who arrived in Munich in 2015. As the son of a graphic designer he wants to pursue a similar passion for (web) design and programming here in Germany.

Karen is a professional designer working in an atelier where Hamdi will also get to know her co-workers.
Karen: "Hamdi is a fast learner and he likes to joke around". Hamdi: "I am very grateful to get this chance, learning computers with Karen is fun and I also get to improve my German speaking skills…double win."

Read their Story

Read less

Elisabeth & Ousman

Ousman is 19 years old and arrived in Munich from Gambia two years ago. He wants to become a gardener after passing the necessary German school exam in September 2017. Elisabeth is a Munich-based gardener, growing plants in her nursery.

Ousman about Elisabeth: “She is very friendly to me. She teaches me how to name the plants in German and how to transplant the small plants carefully. Sometimes she also helps me with my homework.”
Elisabeth is interested in other cultures and wants Germany to be seen around the world as a welcoming country: "Ousman is so enthusiastic" she says, "he is very grateful to the chance of being welcomed in Germany and he really wants to fit in and be part of our society as fast as possible".

Read their Story

Read less

Support the Kimiyaa family

Funded

Phil & Elena

Toronto

Karen

Munich

Hamdi

from Syria

Graphic design

Info

Graphic design

Info

Phil & Elena

Toronto

Karen

Munich

Hamdi

from Syria

Funded

Karen & Hamdi

Graphic design

Hamdi, 20, is a geology student from Syria who arrived in Munich in 2015. As the son of a graphic designer he wants to pursue a similar passion for (web) design and programming here in Germany.
Karen is a professional designer: "Hamdi is a fast learner and I enjoy his jokes!". Hamdi: "I am very grateful to get this chance, learning computers with Karen is fun and I also get to improve my German speaking skills…double win!"

Close

Funded

Ruthie

Vancouver

Cooper

Vancouver

Elisabeth

Munich

Ousman

from Gambia

Gardening Course

Info

Gardening Course

Info

Ruthie

Vancouver

Cooper

Vancouver

Elisabeth

Munich

Ousman

from Gambia

Funded

Elisabeth & Ousman

Gardening Course

Ousman from Gambia (19) came to Germany in autumn 2014 and wants to become a gardener after passing the necessary school exam. In Elisabeth, a Munich-based gardener, he found the right person to motivate him.

Close

Funded

Loli & Scott

Fort Worth, Texas

Claudia

Munich

Bintou

from Congo

Windows programmes

Info

Windows programmes

Info

Loli & Scott

Fort Worth, Texas

Claudia

Munich

Bintou

from Congo

Funded

Claudia & Bintou

Windows programmes

Bintou, 26, from Mali arrived in Munich in November 2015 together with her husband and their 2 year-old daughter after a long stay in Libya. Together with computer skills, Claudia teaches her German and also how to organize herself and her little daughter so that she is also able to attend German class every day. Claudia: “I am happy that I found Kimiyaa. The mentoring program does not only help our students but also brings benefits for both sides.“

Close

Funded

Mert

Munich

Hasmatullah

from Afghanistan

Computer-based German lessons

Info

Computer-based German lessons

Info

Mert

Munich

Hasmatullah

from Afghanistan

Funded

Mert & Hashmatullah

Computer-based German lessons

Hashmatullah, 19, from Afghanistan wants to improve his German language skills which will hopefully help him find a job in Munich. He went to school for 12 years in Afghanistan and left behind six brothers and sisters and headed to Germany on his own. Mert is a law student, was born in Munich but knows the plight of refugees as his parents immigrated to Germany from Turkey. "Instead of just talking about it, I wanted to help and Kimiyaa gave me that opportunity. I'm happy to help a fellow human being, a fellow Muslim and guide him as best as I can for a successful integration".

Close

Funded

Kathrin

Munich

Olaide

from Nigeria

German lessons

Info

German lessons

Info

Kathrin

Munich

Olaide

from Nigeria

Funded

Kathrin & Olaide

German lessons

Olaide is very motivated to learn the German language since she recognizes how important it is to find a good job. Directly after attending her German classes, she meets with Kathrin in the evening.
Kathrin feels that Olaide needs the 1:1 lessons for repetition and to have the opportunity to speak German.

Funded

Azur

Munich

Mahdi

from Afghanistan

Computer lessons

Info

Computer lessons

Info

Azur

Munich

Mahdi

from Afghanistan

Funded

Azur & Mahdi

Computer lessons

Mahdi (19) arrived in Munich in autumn 2015 where he lives in a refugee shelter with 700 people. He will learn from his mentor Azur how to use the MS Office programmes and the internet, and also how to write a job application. Azur is an IT specialist and has been helping refugees for a long time. Azur and Mahdi have struck a friendly relationship on their first meeting. Help support the mentorship.

Funded

Silke

Munich

Fatemah

from Afghanistan

Basic computer training

Info

Basic computer training

Info

Silke

Munich

Fatemah

from Afghanistan

Funded

Silke & Fatemeh

Basic computer training

Fatemeh came to Munich at the end of 2015. In Afghanistan she worked as a tailor for 2 years. She had no experience at all with the computer and wants to learn the Windows programmes since she is aware of the importance of PC knowledge for any profession.
Silke was trainer for at Siemens AG in Munich and is happy to have the opportunity to pass on her thorough knowledge to Fatemeh. The two women motivate each other showing their enthusiasm.

Funded

Lisa

Munich

Ibrahim

from Sierra Leone

German lessons

Info

German lessons

Info

Lisa

Munich

Ibrahim

from Sierra Leone

Funded

Lisa & Ibrahim

German lessons

Ibrahim, 25, from Sierra Leone, started an apprenticeship as warehouse specialist in September 2016 and fortunately, he realised that he still needs to improve his knowledge of German, in particular for the vocational school.
As a student of Political Sciences, Lisa also talks about the political situation with Ibrahim. Their priority is, however, the background knowledge Ibrahim needs for the vocational school to be able to understand the texts and his homework.

Funded

Florian

Munich

Maryam

from Irak

Mathematics

Info

Mathematics

Info

Florian

Munich

Maryam

from Irak

Funded

Florian & Maryam

Mathematics

More information coming soon ...

Funded

Sanela

Munich

Eltaf

from Afghanistan

Computer lessons

Info

Computer lessons

Info

Sanela

Munich

Eltaf

from Afghanistan

Funded

Sanela & Eltaf

Computer lessons

More information coming soon ...

Funded

Bram

Munich

Robbier

from Eritrea

Windows programmes

Info

Windows programmes

Info

Bram

Munich

Robbier

from Eritrea

Funded

Bram & Robbier

Windows programmes

Robbier arrived in Munich in December 2015 where he lives in a refugee shelter with 200 people. He also participates in the Joblinge programme which now also aims at integrating refugees for the labour market. In Eritrea he went to school for 10 years and then he had to escape from life-long military service.
Bram, an IT specialist holding a M.Sc. in Automotive Engineering, originally from Indonesia, is very keen on passing on his computer knowledge to his very interested student.

Funded

Elisabeth

Munich

Nicole

from Uganda

Piano lessons

Info

Piano lessons

Info

Elisabeth

Munich

Nicole

from Uganda

Funded

Elisabeth & Nicole

Piano lessons

Nicole from Uganda, 16, came to Munich at the end of 2015 together with her mother and her 1-year-old sister. She goes to school and her German is already brilliant.
Elisabeth, 23, learned to play her first musical instrument when she was five years old. She teaches Nicole how to play the piano together with reading the music. "Nicole is highly motivated and learns very quickly. It's a pleasure for me to see that."

Funded

Peter

Munich

Mojtaba

from Afghanistan

Guitar lessons

Info

Guitar lessons

Info

Peter

Munich

Mojtaba

from Afghanistan

Funded

Peter & Mujtaba

Guitar lessons

More information coming soon ...

Funded

Inge

Munich

Rubaba

from Afghanistan

Computer lessons

Info

Computer lessons

Info

Inge

Munich

Rubaba

from Afghanistan

Funded

Inge & Rubaba

Computer lessons

Rubaba, 29, attended a two-year teacher training in Afghanistan. She arrived in Munich in winter 2015/16 and will also improve her German during the computer classes.
Inge is a professional computer trainer with a lot of experience and patience. They have already drafted a CV for a job application and Inge also motivates Rubaba to use the special computer programmes for refugees in the public library to improve her German.

Funded

Enes

Munich

Jusef

from Afghanistan

House hunting

Info

House hunting

Info

Enes

Munich

Jusef

from Afghanistan

Funded

Enes & Jusef

House hunting

More information coming soon ...

Funded

Nermin

Munich

Imad

from Syria

Computer lessons

Info

Computer lessons

Info

Nermin

Munich

Imad

from Syria

Funded

Nermin & Imad

Computer lessons

Imad, 29, came to Munich in summer 2015. He owned a mobile phone shop in Damaskus. The most important for him is to learn German and then he would like to start an "Ausbildung". Imad already had basic computer knowledge and learns very quickly, also because he often practices on his own during the week. "Of course, we are friends now", both of the emphasize.
Nermin says: "We are all human beings and I wish to help where I can. I am a migrant myself, and as a child in the former Yugoslavia I also experienced how bad a war can be."

Click here to view more mentorships waiting for funding

Ruthie

Sponsor from Vancouver

"The world seems to be going to a wrong place, countries looking inwardly and there is little compassion for the other. I love the idea that Kimiyaa enables us to do just the opposite and get together to support refugee integration."

Loli & Scott

Sponsors from Texas

"I've been watching what's happening in Europe, the heart breaking images of refugees fleeing violence and despair and like others around, I wanted to help."

Phil & Elana

Sponsors from Toronto

"We welcomed the opportunity to help in a direct way, to know we are supporting people in Germany building bridges between refugees and established local citizens. We'd like to hope it's a small but meaningful effort to bring a bit of peace and sanity in a world where prejudice is becoming the norm."

Team

Eytan Heller

Founder

Born in Brussels, Eytan resides in London where he leads European business development efforts at SolarEdge Technologies Inc., a public company traded on the NASDAQ (SEDG). Eytan has a diverse background in entrepreneurship, social activism and documentary film making and has consistently taken an active role in promoting civil rights through creative artistic and grass-roots projects. Eytan holds a B.A. in Political Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a M.Sc. in Politics of the World Economy from the London School of Economics.

Read more

Read less

Jason Myers

Founder

Jason is a lawyer based in Israel. Previously he worked for Kav L'Oved non-profit focused on defending and promoting the labor rights of Palestinian and migrant workers in Israel. Jason holds a B.A. in International Relations from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a JD in Law (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Miami School of Law.

Read more

Read less

Janet Lim

Advisor

Janet was formerly the Assistant High Commissioner in charge of operations in UNHCR. During her 34-year career with the UN, she has served in various positions both in UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva and in the field. Her field assignments have included leading UNHCR's country and emergency operations in different parts of the world, including Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Western Sahara and Syria. During her career with the UN, she has also been seconded to UNAIDS and to the peacekeeping operation, UNAMA, in Afghanistan.

Read more

Read less

Allan Leas

Advisor

Born in South Africa, Allan left his home country and was granted asylum in London in 1979 where he was a founder member of the Committee on South African War Resistance and he worked for the Anti-Apartheid Movement and the ANC. For 16 years, Allan was the Secretary General of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles. As a consultant (voluntary sector) he has worked for OSI, UNHCR, the Dutch Council for Refugees and the EU Fundamental Rights Agency. Allan lives and works in England.

Read more

Read less

Yoni Ben-Meshulam

Advisor

As Senior Engineer at Google (California), Yoni develops technologies and products that drive positive outcomes for society. He specializes in machine learning, service engineering, application engineering, data architecture, system architecture, experimental design and analytics. Yoni holds dual degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering and in Mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin.

Read more

Read less

Ralf Schröder

Advisor

Ralf is a Software Architect who started his career in the field of Enterprise Software where he learned the craft of building robust and useful applications from the ground up. Following years working for PeopleSoft, Ralf joined Workday, the highly visible Silicon Valley endeavor. In 2015, Ralf started to volunteer in his local refugee helper circle where he quickly realized the urgent need for better coordination of volunteers and founded the social startup www.lale.help (Munich).

Read more

Read less

Spread the message
Help Kimiyaa grow!

FAQs

What is the geographical scope of Kimiyaa?

Kimiyaa is aiming to support the integration of refugees and asylum seekers globally. With an initial focus on Germany in 2016-2017, we are now expanding Kimiyaa in the U.S through partnerships with local entrepreneurs.

I'm interested in donating money and in supporting a mentorship. Can I donate any amount? Can my donation be recognized as tax deductible?

You can donate any amount and currency or cover the cost of a full mentorship. If you donate an amount below the cost of the full mentorship, you will be part of a crowd-funding effort with other people's donations which will be aggregated to fund a full mentorship. For more information and if you wish to become a sponsor, please fill in the contact form above ("Donate") and we will get back to you.

Donations from UK and US-based citizens (currently in the States of New York, Texas and California) will be recognized as tax deductible.

How can I become a mentor? How does it work practically?

You need good knowledge and relevant experience on the subject you want to teach. You should equally be open and sensitive to foreign cultures. After filling in and sending your mentor form, one of our team members will contact you. You will have an interview (personal or via skype) with our local manager. Provided you have gone through a successful interview process, we will then match you with a refugee in your area.

You must be well prepared for each and every lesson and share its content with the Kimiyaa team. You must confirm each week the lesson is taking place with the Kimiyaa office and with your matched refugee. You will have a total of twelve 1:1 lessons with your refugee student spread over three months, once a week for two hours. You will be paid at the end of the 3-month-period.

More practical guidance will be shared with mentors after they are selected to be part of this project.

Can all refugees participate in the mentoring program and how do they register?

All refugees who have basic language knowledge of the country they live in can participate, regardless of their status in the asylum proceedings. They should be committed to stay in the place where they live for at least three months in order to complete the mentorship period.
We identify and bring refugees on board through our partnership with refugee organizations and local volunteers in the location of our work.

Is there a minimum age for mentors and refugees?

The minimum age for mentors is 21 years and for refugees 15 years old (parental approval required).

Where do refugees and mentors meet and study?

They meet in public places such as libraries and charity organization office spaces.

What happens after a refugee completes a first study period? Can it be extended? Does Kimiyaa help refugees find work?

A refugee can extend his/her learning period by an additional module of 24 hours of lessons following review and approval by the Kimiyaa team. Kimiyaa will create a section on its website where we post profiles of our refugee graduates and invite private companies to offer internships and jobs. After the completion of a successful mentorship period, each refugee will also receive a letter of reference from Kimiyaa and his/her mentor.

How does Kimiyaa plan to use its proceeds and grow?

We are a social tech start-up planning to develop and grow an advanced smart platform which will be key to making Kimiyaa efficient, practical and available to all. The current website you are visiting is our Release 1 platform. Funding permitted, Kimiyaa will launch a more advanced app and desktop website. A lot of the actions we do today manually will be automated. Match-making between refugees and mentors will be done by the website based on defined parameters such as location, professional skills, etc. There will be many functions helping refugees and mentors make their meetings easy with confirmation and verification functions. Sponsors will also be able to not only define the amount they want to donate but also to select a professional activity or a specific mentorship they wish to support. Online payments will be available as well. Our advanced platform architecture is ready…we are now looking for talented developers and funders!

Kimiyaa is registered as an official UK Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). Charity no. 1169449.
Kimiyaa Inc is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in New York.
Our Federal Employer Identification Number is 81-4096689.

Donations from UK and US*-based citizens can be recognized as tax deductible.
US states currently part of the tax deductible scheme are New York, Texas and California.
Contributions by donors are made with the understanding that Kimiyaa has complete control and administration over the use of the donated funds.

Kimiyaa is grateful to Paul Hastings LLP for its pro bono legal support.